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COMMENTARY
In Brief: Statutes of Limitation
[In the last issue of In the Vineyard, Fr. Tom Doyle made his case in support
of statutes of limitation reform, inclusive of one-year look-back windows.
Let us know what is going on in your state. Send to pthorp.ed@votf.org.]
Excerpted from US Today at www.usatoday.com
Since the Catholic abuse scandal exploded in 2002, six states have changed
their laws covering sexual abuse statutes of limitations, which sets a legal
deadline for someone who was sexually abused as a minor years ago to file
suit against an alleged abuser or the Catholic diocese that employed him
or her, says Marci Hamilton, professor at the Benjamin Cardozo School of
Law…. The new limits, according to Rachel Steamer, fellow in public
law at Cardozo:
- Connecticut — 30 years from the age of majority (18), effective
2002.
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Illinois — 10 years from date of discovery, effective 2003.
- Maryland — Seven years from majority (18), effective 2003.
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Missouri — By age 30, or three years from discovery, effective 2003.
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Pennsylvania — 12 years from majority (18), effective 2002.
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Wisconsin — Before age 35, effective 2003.
[California lifted its statute of limitations for a one-year window (2002-03)
for any accuser to come forward, and “windows” have been proposed
or are under discussion in New York, Ohio, Colorado, and Tennessee.
VOTF affiliates advise as follows: Indiana plans to introduce SOL legislation
in the 2007 session; Kentucky has a bill in the House sponsored by over 60
representatives and scheduled to be introduced 1/24/06. Proposed amendments
include eliminating the SOL on all crimes of sexual abuse against minors.]
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